Protein flexibility: its role in structure and mechanism revealed by molecular simulations

Computer simulations at the atomic level have arrived at a stage where they provide realistic modeling of flexibility in proteins (and the mobility of their associated solvent) that is important in understanding the nature of molecular motions. This can now be extended to the molecular and atomic motions that are associated with protein mechanisms. Moreover, the derived data agree reasonably accurately with experimental measurements of several kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. Fundamental insights emerge on the roles that this intrinsic flexibility plays in the thermodynamic characteristics of macromolecules in solution; these equip the investigator to probe the consequences of cognate interactions and ligand binding on entropy and enthalpy. Thus simulations can now provide a powerful tool for investigating protein mechanisms that complements the existing and the emerging experimental techniques. Received 29 May 2005; received after revision 23 August 2005; accepted 21 October 2005     

Wip1 protects hydrogen peroxide-induced colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction

Tight junctions (TJs) create a paracellular permeability barrier. Although reactive oxygen species have been implicated as mediators of inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases, their influence on the function of colonic epithelial TJs remains unknown. Oxidative stress-mediated colonic epithelial permeability was significantly attenuated by a p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor, SB203580. Although the amount of TJ proteins was not altered, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) changed the localization of claudin-4 protein from an NP-40 insoluble fraction to a soluble fraction and from an apical TJ to lateral membrane. The p38 MAP kinase inactivator Wip1 significantly attenuated phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, and oxidative stress mediated permeability. H₂O₂-induced changes in claudin-4 localization were abolished by SB203580 pretreatment as well as Wip1-expressing adenovirus infection. This is the first study to demonstrate that exogenous Wip1 functions to protect oxidative stress-mediated colonic mucosal permeability and that H₂O₂-induced claudin-4 dislocalization is abolished by Wip1. Received 14 June 2007; received after revision 8 October 2007; accepted 8 October 2007     

Oncogenic mechanisms in myeloproliferative disorders

Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are clonal haematopoietic malignancies involving the abnormal proliferation of myeloid lineages. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of haematopoietic malignancies distinguishes MPDs from myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative disorders and systemic mastocytosis. These malignancies frequently involve constitutive tyrosine kinase activity, resulting from either oncogenic fusion protein production or from point mutations. Chronic myelogenous leukaemia is the model used for studies of the consequences of such molecular defects. However, the heterogeneity of the clinical course of MPDs should be seen in a more rationale conceptual framework, including the many molecular events associated with these diseases. This review focuses on the various tyrosine kinase-related molecular mechanisms underlying both MPDs and rare diseases with myeloproliferative features. We pay particular attention to the newly identified JAK2 V617F mutation in polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis and deal with disease heterogeneity and putative additional molecular mechanisms. Received 9 June 2006; received after revision 28 July 2006; accepted 11 September 2006     

The epidermal growth factor receptor family: Biology driving targeted therapeutics

The epidermal growth factor family of receptor tyrosine kinases (ErbBs) plays essential roles in regulating cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration. The ErbB receptors carry out both redundant and restricted functions in mammalian development and in the maintenance of tissues in the adult mammal. Loss of regulation of the ErbB receptors underlies many human diseases, most notably cancer. Our understanding of the function and complex regulation of these receptors has fueled the development of targeted therapeutic agents for human malignancies in the last 15 years. Here we review the biology of ErbB receptors, including their structure, signaling, regulation, and roles in development and disease, then briefly touch on their increasing roles as targets for cancer therapy.     

过表达甘油激酶三角褐指藻藻株富集油脂的研究

为了得到高产并符合生物柴油标准的微藻油脂的藻株,本文研究了在外源甘油存在的情况下野生型（WT）三角褐指藻（Phaeodactylum tricornutum）,甘油激酶过表达藻株（GKOE）以及甘油激酶RNA干扰藻株（GKRNi）在添加浓度为20 mmol/L外源甘油的培养基中的生长情况、油脂产量以及脂肪酸组成.结果显示：（1）甘油兼养的GKOE藻细胞浓度可达到2.23×107个/mL,明显高于甘油兼养的WT的1.79×107个/mL和GKRNi的1.78×107 个/mL;（2）甘油兼养的GKOE油脂含量可达到31.73%,比甘油兼养的WT和GKRNi分别高了27.20%和26.63%;（3）尼罗红染色显示甘油兼养的GKOE荧光强度比甘油兼养的WT和GKRNi分别高16.26%和17.83%;（4）甘油兼养的GKOE总脂肪酸产量可达到0.052 mg/mL,比甘油兼养的WT和GKRNi高了36.84%和10.64%,说明其油脂适合于生物柴油开发.     

混合拥挤试剂对人肌肌酸激酶稳定性的影响作用研究

为了更加真实地模拟细胞内环境,在人肌肌酸激酶(HCK)的去折叠环境中同时加入了大分子拥挤试剂(葡聚糖)和小分子渗透剂(蔗糖),采用酶活性、荧光发射谱和溶液浊度检测等方法研究肌酸激酶在含有蔗糖和葡聚糖的混合拥挤环境中的稳定性,结果表明在肌酸激酶盐酸胍变性过程中,蔗糖不仅抑制肌酸激酶酶活性的丧失,还稳定肌酸激酶的构象,而葡聚糖对肌酸激酶保护能力相对较弱.对于热变性过程,相同质量浓度的蔗糖和葡聚糖能同等程度地减缓肌酸激酶活性的丧失,并抑制聚沉的产生.在葡聚糖和蔗糖同时存在的情况下,两者的保护作用可以累加,并共同维持肌酸激酶的稳定性.     

Boron-based Drug Design for Cancer Therapy

1 Results Selective inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases is gaining importance as an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of a wide range of human cancers.The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein tyrosine kinase is one of the important kinases that play a fundamental role in cell growth signal pathways.We focused on the 4-anilinoquinazoline framework,which is observed in both compounds as a common structure.A boron atom has a vacant orbital and interconverts with ease between th...     

Protein kinase TTK interacts and co-localizes with CENP-E to the kinetochore of human cells

Spindle checkpoint is an important biochemical signaling cascade during mitosis which monitors the fidelity of chromosome segregation, and is mediated by protein kinases Mps1 and Bub1/BubR1. Our recent studies show that kinesin-related motor protein CENP-E interacts with BubR1 and participates in spindle checkpoint signaling. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying spindle checkpoint signaling, we carried out proteomic dissection of human cell kinetochore and revealed protein kinase TTK, human homologue of yeast Mps1. Our studies show that TTK is localized to the kinetochore of human cells, and interacts with CENP-E, suggesting that TTK may play an important role in chromosome segregation during mitosis.     

Ethanol inhibits insulin expression and actions in the developing brain

Ethanol-induced cerebellar hypoplasia is associated with inhibition of insulin-stimulated survival signaling. The present work explores the mechanisms of impaired insulin signaling in a rat model of fetal alcohol syndrome. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated reduced expression of the insulin gene in cerebella of ethanol-exposed pups. Although receptor expression was unaffected, insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activities were reduced by ethanol exposure, and these abnormalities were associated with increased PTP1b activity. In addition, glucose transporter molecule expression and steady-state levels of ATP were reduced in ethanol-exposed cerebellar tissue. Cultured cerebellar granule neurons from ethanol-exposed pups had reduced expression of genes encoding insulin, IGF-II, and the IGF-I and IGF-II receptors, and impaired insulin- and IGF-I-stimulated glucose uptake and ATP production. The results demonstrate that ethanol inhibits insulin-mediated actions in the developing brain by reducing local insulin production and insulin RTK activation, leading to inhibition of glucose transport and ATP production.Received 30 December 2004; received after revision 1 March 2005; accepted 10 March 2005